NGT forms panel to probe blast at Jaipur oxygen plant

Jaipur: National Green Tribunal's (NGT) central zone bench in Bhopal has constituted a joint committee to investigate the explosion at an oxygen refilling plant in Jaipur's Vishwakarma Industrial Area that killed three people in Feb, including the factory manager. The blast happened during refilling operations at the Wilson Cryo Gases oxygen plant and also caused significant damage to surrounding areas.A bench comprising Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Judicial Member, and Dr Prashant Gargava, Expert Member, issued the order while hearing the case suo motu on April 6.The joint committee will comprise representatives from Central Pollution Control Board, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Rajasthan Pollution Control Board, which will act as the nodal agency for coordination and logistical support. "The committee has been directed to visit the site and submit a factual and action-taken report within six weeks," the order states.NGT observed that the blast raised substantial questions relating to environmental safety and implementation of statutory provisions under the NGT Act. It issued notices to the State of Rajasthan through the District Magistrate, Jaipur, Rajasthan Pollution Control Board, the authorised signatory of the oxygen plant, and the Principal Secretary (Environment), Rajasthan. The matter is listed for further hearing on July 7.The order recalled that during refilling, one cylinder exploded, followed by four others. The blast blew away the factory's tin shed, scattered cylinder fragments across the area, and shattered glass in nearby homes and shops. Factory manager Vinod Gupta (45) died during treatment, worker Munna Rai (30) was killed on the spot, and Shibu (40), who was seriously injured, succumbed at SMS Hospital. The manager's hand and leg were severed.